Levulinic acid (LA) has an intriguing functionality and, as a platform chemical, can play a central role in emerging technologies focusing in the production of bio-based commodities. Here, we describe an exciting new pathway for the utilization of LA that involves catalytic synthesis of maleic anhydride (MA) via oxidative cleavage of the methyl carbon in LA over supported vanadates. The approach is demonstrated in a continuous flow, packed bed reactor, and we have observed that VOx supported on SiO2 achieves single-pass MA yields as high as 71% at 573K. Further, preliminary analysis suggests that LA might compete with butane as a feedstock for MA production. Finally, bifunctional LA and monofunctional 2-pentanone display contrasting oxidative cleavage selectivities, indicating that methyl carbon cleavage during vapor phase oxidation over supported vanadates is unique to LA
See more of this Group/Topical: Catalysis and Reaction Engineering Division